The subcortical role in executive functions: Neural mechanisms of executive inhibition in the flanker task

While executive functions (EFs) have traditionally been linked to the cerebral cortex, our understanding of EFs has evolved with increasing evidence pointing to the involvement of cortico-subcortical networks. Despite the importance of investigating EFs within this broader context, the functional contributions of subcortical regions to these processes remain largely unexplored. This study addresses this gap by specifically examining the involvement of subcortical regions in executive inhibition, as measured by the classic Eriksen flanker task. In this study, we used a stereoscope to differentiate between subcortical (monocular) and cortical (mostly binocular) visual pathways in EF processes. Our findings indicate that monocular visual pathways play a crucial role in representing executive conflict, which necessitates cortical involvement. The persistence of a monoptic advantage in conflict representation highlights the substantial contribution of subcortical regions to these executive processes. This exploration of subcortical involvement in executive inhibition provides valuable insights into the intricate relationships between cortical and subcortical regions in EFs.